Back From Paradise

Hello all!

We are back from our vacation and feeling the normal need for rest following a week of rest! I have to say this year was so enjoyable for our family! For all the years we have been vacationing at TopSider we rarely used the beach area. I know that sounds strange but Mr. HTB and I spent the majority of our time on the boat during those "pre~baby" days. So this year it was amazing to spend the hours down on the beach with Jake & Laney looking for "cwabs" and building sandcastles.

In a matter of nano~seconds Jake & Laney went from being babies to being kids. They frolicked in the surf, held a flounder in their hands and searched & chased "baby di~gadores" as we walked down the wooden walkway to and from our unit. Our final night in the Keys "Pea~Paw & Pea~Paw" {Grandma & Grandpa ~ they're trying} took us all out to the local seafood buffet where Jake & Laney dined on paella & fried shrimp. I was instantly transported back to my own childhood where I would dine with my own Grandpa and explore the world of fried calamari & shirley temples. It was a magical time and experience for me then and it's even more magical now.

Grandma & Grandpa HTB enjoyed a week of fishing with Mr. HTB on our boat "Dream Baby" catching Mangrove Snapper, Yellow Tale Snapper, Black Grouper & Goliath Grouper

{one of which was even too big for the huge net Mr. HTB keeps on board}.

Mr. HTB was even lucky enough to be visited by a local

Manatee

{http://www.savethemanatee.org/}

while he was cleaning fish one afternoon, although, the rest of us were too slow in getting down to the dock to see him.

Each year we look forward to our trip just south of here.

And each year we say the same thing ~ we wish we could stay another week.

But this year, we leave knowing that in just 52 more weeks we will return to the TopSider and this time not only will we be joined by the "Pea~Paws" but Jake & Laney will get to show Auntie Brynne & Uncle Todd where all the "cwabs" hang out!

Oh, and I forgot to mention....we are now the proud "Pea~Paws" of Jake & Laney's new baby Hermit Crab

{This is not our crab...he won't come out of his shell for a picture}